St. Lucie County announced the launch of the new Area Regional Transit On-Demand (ART On-Demand) public transportation service, which will allow all residents and visitors to book free on-demand rides through an app within a designated zone in Port St. Lucie. 

The goal of ART On-Demand is to expand access to efficient, equitable, and sustainable transportation in St. Lucie.

ART On-Demand will be powered by Via, the global leader in TransitTech. Via’s algorithms allow riders to book an on-demand ride – allowing for efficient shared trips that provide more flexibility than traditional transportation options with fixed routes and schedules.

Riders can book ART On-Demand rides in three ways:

• Download the ART On-Demand app from the Apple or Google Play app store, set up your account and book your trip. 

• Book online using a web browser from artondemand.app.ridewithvia.com 

• Call 772-462-1778 and a customer service representative will help you create an account and book your ride.

“It’s exciting to watch our transit system continue to evolve by offering our residents convenient ways to access free public transportation,” said Sean Mitchell, St. Lucie County commission chair. “The more we embrace public transportation, the more we reduce the number of vehicles on the roads and help keep our carbon footprint smaller.” 

ART On-Demand will operate Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

“For several years, our citizens have told us that providing more mobility options should be a top priority in the city. As a result, the City Council made this an important part of the City’s Strategic Plan,” said Shannon Martin, Port St. Lucie mayor. “I am very pleased St. Lucie County’s Area Regional Transit is helping us achieve these priorities through the launch of this On-Demand program. This program will give all residents an innovative new option for moving around the city and county.”

Via's software is used in more than 500 communities and includes similar services to ART On-Demand elsewhere in Florida, including Sarasota, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. 

“We’re excited to partner with St. Lucie to power ART On-Demand, which uses software to expand access to transportation in the area,” said Dillon Twombly, CRO at Via. “Tech-enabled public transit services like this one represent 21st-century transportation, and we’re excited to see how ART On-Demand will make it easier for St. Lucie’s residents and visitors to connect with jobs, healthcare, education, leisure and more.”